Container conveyer and distributor



" March 13,1945. c. N. BERGMANN 2,371,419

. CONTAINER CONVEYER AND DISTRIBUTOR I Filed June 22, 1943 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 E i 12 in 4% .m III INVENTOR Chris ti JV. Bergnz (1-7212 CONTAINER CONVEYER AND DISTRIBUTOR Filed June 22, 1943 ,2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I L I I 5aa INVENTOR Christi Bergmann Patented Mar. 13, 1945 osrics 2,371,419 I commas convamn' AND msrnmuroa Christian N. Bergmann, llttsburgh, Pa" assignor of two-sixths to Charles M. Clarke, Sewickley,

Application Jane 22, 1943, Serial No. 491,111 12 Claims. ((21. 198-81) My invention is an improvement in distributing conveyors for containers such as bottles, cans, or the like. I

In one arrangement, it is particularly adapted to the art of conveying cylindrical units, as milkbottles, from two sources or stations, to a single station or delivery destination, by merging two rows, or series of unit groups, into one stream or current, by combiner switch mechanism.

- Altemately, the construction is also available, by reversal of travel movement of the associated I ,conveyer assembly, whereby to distribute containers, or the like, from one incoming conveyer, to a plurality, as two, delivery conveyers, by the same switch mechanism, operating as a divider.

Generally stated, the present improvement consists of a switch mechanism, interposed between a single conveyer and a plurality, as two, conveyers or sections, operating to combine two incoming series of units into one, or to divide a single series or stream, into two. 4

The active elementsioi the switch consist of a pair of laterally movable arms, terminating in fending or guiding terminal portions, adjustable to one side or the other of a merging throat.

It may be used for directing tramc or movement of the units, so as to guide them in moving from a branch conveyer to a single conveyer, while temporarily blocking movement thereto from another branch'conveyer, acting as a combiner switch; or alternately, for directing movement of units from a single conveyer or section to either 01' two delivering sections, while temporarily blocking movement towards the other section, acting, as a divider switch.

The pair of laterally movable arms and their In (using the switch as a dividenwhereby the I load or an incoming conveyer is to be distributed to a pair oi delivery conveyer sections, the terminals oi the arms are brought together and located at one side or the other of the throat, in theiorm of anend point or horn.

In such reverse travel, for dividing action, the particular active controlling arm and its terminal is positively or initially withdrawn for clearance from the resulting open side of the throat. The

other arm remaining extended, and with the terminals together, both act to resist and deflect oncoming units to the lateral open throat passage for movement or units, until the arms are reversed oppositely, guidance.

In the drawings, illustrating appropriate elmbodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an installation comprising a pair or conveyers leading to a single conveyer, and the intervening switch mechanism, as of the combiner type:

Fig. 2 is a view of the switch mechanism in iongitudinal section and part elevation, on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line III-Ill of Fig. 2, showing both arms extended and released for movement of either;

Fig. 4 is a partial similar transverse section on the same line, but showing one arm as moved inwardly below its locking latch;

Fig. 5 is a similar section on line V-V of Fig. 2,

for alternating similar showing the lowered latch in holding engageterminal portions, are so arranged between two branch conveyers as to direct traflic movement of the units from either or both of the branch conveyers alternately, to such single conveyer. Or, in reverse travel, from such single conveyer, to either of such branch conveyers, in dividing a single stream or column.

With either, the arms are so located-and controlled, as by individual springs or the like, that in normal open position, their terminals extend partly across a portion or each branch conveyer path area. Interlocking means are provided whereby, when either arm and'its terminal, is moved inwardly by an approachingunit, as in combining action, the other arm is automatically locked in extended position, and vice versa, such other arm being automatically released by retraction of its companion arm, for similar operation at theother side.

ment with the opposite inactive arm;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan view like Fig. 1, showing the switchingarms in normal open position;

Fi 7 is an isometric view of one of the switch '1 arms, detached;

Fig. 8 i a similar view of one of the locking latches for the arms:

Fig. 9 is a plan view, like Fig. 1, showing the switch when used as a divider.

The .present invention is an improvement in that class of conveyer and distributor means, for

as bottles or cans, delivered in limited numbers, or groups, from say-two'conveyers moving the units as from diflerent washers to .a common filler, using the switch as a combiner.

The invention is also operable to continuously I! receivev units irpm either-conveyer, and to dis tribute them to a common delivery conveyer, as well as intermittently, automatically.

Otherwise, by appropriate adjustment of the switch mechanism, the same construction is available in reverse travel and distribution, as from a common supply conveyor to either of two delivery conveyors, using the switch as a divider, as shall be hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, two conveyors A and B, in spaced apart relation or parallelism, lead from any suitable source along each side of a switching section C, to a common delivery conveyer D.

The several conveyers are of conventional type, provided with continuous series of flights 2, having the usual flexibly connected supporting links, carried and diven by standard sprockets and power imparting means at appropriate speeds, not necessarily herein described.

ne or both of conveyers A and B may be either straight or connected with a lateral supply feed, as is well known.

When used as a combiner, the bottles or units 3, as supported on the moving flights, are moved over from either side conveyor, across bridge plate 4, between the usual guide rails 5 and 5a5aa.

The outer guide rails 5 continue as a part of switch section C and converge at each side by asvacie units, any approaching units along such opposite side will be retarded and held by the shoulder i5, until such first group of units has passed beyond the shoe terminal. Thereupon, opposite pressure of the retarded group will reverse the position of the arms, allowing for passage of the retarded group, such functioning alternating throughout alternating action of each successive supply.

When no units are in passage at either side, the arms are caused to open by springs il, one for each arm, exertingseparating movement of the arms to open position, as in Fig. 6.

The pull of the springs is comparatively weak, subject to adjustment by temper screws id, to eiiect free swinging.

Clearance slots 19 are provided in the guide terminals 5cm. permitting extreme outward limited movement of each arm, to the slot terminal.

As thus mounted, and with both arms open under tension of springs i1, either arm may be moved inwardly by a contacting unit. approaching towards delivery conveyer D, the other arm how- I ever being automatically locked in extended poportions 6, tapering inwardly towards and providing continuous guiding connection with the standard width guides 5b of delivery conveyer D. Likewise, the inner guides 50, of the switch sectlon, are deflected inwardly, as at Sam, providing guiding terminals.

The outer edges and terminals of the swinging arms of the switch are designed to extend beyond the guide terminals Baa. when open, and to engagethe limiting terminals of clearance slots therein.

By such guide bar construction there is thus provided a flaring and tapering throat, communicating between the double conveyer switch section C, and single conveyer D, for guiding movement of units, in either direction.

The switch 0 comprises a complete separable section, connected, as by overlapping plates i,

with guides 5 and id at one end, and with guides 5b respectively, at the other end. The guide plates or bars of the switch section, and beyond, are supported at suitable height above the track-. way supports 8, along which the flights pass, by bracing supports 9. The flights are, of course, continuations of'the ones of conveyers A and B, in the complete installation.

Theinner guides of the switch section provide a mounting for the deflecting arms, as by transverse bridge pieces or cross bars 90 and ii, and upper and lower transverse guide bars i2.

Pivotally mounted on cross bar H at iii. are

'. the pair of laterally swinging arms it, each having an abruptly projecting and concaved shoulder I5, and an inclined plate or fending shoe it.

While the fending shoe I6 is shown as a separately attached plate, it may be integral with the arin, of any suitable width, for edge engagement by aunitin transit. "w

Whe

seinbly. tapering to a practically efiective point or dividing horn, tending, to divert approaching units towards one.side of the expanding throat.

when used as a divider switch.

Otherwise-when used as a combiner, as in Fig.

gether, at one side or the other, these shoes bra e each other and form a wedge-like assitlon.

For such purpose are provided a pair of transversely and oppositely arranged gravitating latch arms 29, pivoted at 2B, having a holding lug or abutment 22 for the inactive extended arm, as in Fig. 4, and a gravity lowering lifting and unlocking cam 23.

Such cam is acted upon by inclined edge face 26 of either bar in its outward movement, raising the latch arm and releasing the other bar for inward movement, as in Fig. 3.

When both bars are spread apart to their normal outward limit, either one may be pressed in-Q' wardly by a first unit contact, with simulta-{ neous locking of the other, by lowering of the abutment 22 when the can: supporting other bar 14 is moved inwardly, as in Fig. 5.

Thus inward movementof either arm, by permitting the free cam terminal of arm 29 to fall, will cause' abutment 22. to engage ,the opposite arm id, holding it until, by passage of the last. unit of a group, the in ardly deflected arm is released, and will swing-s utwardly, elevating the latch 20. Both arms then being free by lifting action of the cam terminal, either is then sub-' ject to inward pressure of a unit, with simultaneous locking of the other arm;

,Normally, in inactive position, as in Fig.3, with both cam terminals raised and abutments 22 elevatedeitherarm may be pressed inwardly with locking of the other arm, as described.

In utilizing the switch as a divider, assuming reversal of conveyer travel, to divide a stream of units moving on conveyer section D towards the widening throat, and for separation to either or arated, approaching units will'not pass to either.

l, with the pair of arms thrust to an opposite side from the side conveying other approaching.

both of the conveyer' sections A and B, the same.

means may be used. a L,

In such case, with the arms M normally sepbranch conveyor: automatically, unless the arms is and their shoes it are together, and at one side of the center, as in Fig. 1. In such posi tion the terminals will then act as'a deflectin common end point or horn, as inmy prior Patout No. 2,168,191 (see and point l9), opening passageway to one branch conveyer and closing entrance to the other.

In such application, instead of automatic movement of one or the arms by unit contact with shoulder and shoe l8, as in combining,

one of the arms may be'retracted towards the branch conveyer.

. units will pass as indicated by the arrows.

other by any suitable means, the other arm becoming looked, as before.

One such means is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9 in which each arm I4 is connected, as by rod 25, with a suitable prime mover, as the armature of a solenoid magnet 26, each being energized by a circuit controlled by suitable switch 21. I

Otherwise, the construction is as above described, except as to such or other available means for positively locating one of the arms and its deflecting shoe for clearance to the utilized Thus assuming one of the arms is deflected towards the other, as in Fig. 1, from its outer position. as indicated in Fig. 6,

temate operation, by alternating magnet control, or other suitable means, may be utilized at intervals as desired, dependent on the required distribution of the uhlts, in dividing them.

' tially as a part thereof. It is simple, cheap, ef-

ficient and effective in group transfer of cylindrlcal articles, such as glass milk bottles, avoiding grinding or breakage, and in a combiner assembly', is continuously automatic. As a divider assembly, it'is semi-automatic.

Various changes, alterations or modifications may be made by the skilled mechanic in adapting the invention to local or special conditions, or in particular. features or details, within the scope oi the .iollowing claims.

What I claim is:

1. A switch assembly for combining units of one conveyer with those of another for distribution to a single conveyer, consisting of a pairof resiliently held side-by-side approximately parallel arms each having an inwardly inclined deflecting fender and an outwardly projecting unit-arresting shoulder, and means whereby when one of the arm terminals is deflected towards the other, said other arm will be held outwardly.

2. A switch assembly comprising two conveyers merging into a single conveyer and having direction controlling guides, a pair of laterally movable arms in generally parallel relationship between th said two conveyers each having an inwardly sloping terminal fender disposed towards the single conveyer adapted when together to assume wedge-like formation, resilient means normally separating the arms and their fenders, and means -for locking one of the arms when the other is thrust inwardly.

3. A switch assembly comprising. a supporting frame for two conveyer trackways merginginto a single conveyer trackway and having direction controlling guides all connecting with corresponding trackways and guides at opposite ends thereof, a pair of approximately parallel later- -ally movable arms between {the two trackways each havinga terminal fending portion disposed towards the single trackway and an arresting abutment, resilient means normally separating the arms and their terminals, and; means for locking one of the arms when the other is thrust inwardly.

of, a pair of pivotally mounted approximately parallel laterally movable arms between the two trackways each having a rearwardly disposed shoulder and a terminal inclined shoe disposed towards the single trackway, springs normally separating the arms and their terminals, and a locking device supported upon and releasable by one of the arms when thrust inwardly and having an abutment adapted to engage and hold the other arm in its initial position.

5. In combination with a pair of laterally movable approximately parallel arms as described, means preventing movement of one of the arms towards the other consisting. of two oppositely disposed locking members arranged transversely of the arms each having a holding abutment engageable with one arm and a terminal portion engageable by the other arm to hold the locking member and its abutment in unlocking'position or to release same to effect locking,

6. In combination with a pair of laterally movably arms as described, means preventing inward movement or one of the arms consisting of two oppositely disposed locking members each pivoted at one end for vertical movement and having a terminal cam and an intermediate holding abutment, both normally being elevated by outward movement to normal position and cam engagement by said arms, either of said locking members lowering by gravity upon inward movement of its supporting arm and effecting holding engagement by its abutment with the other arm.

7; A switch assembly comprising two conveyers merging into a single conveyer and having direction controlling guides, a pair of approximately parallel adjacent laterally movable arms between the said two conveyers each having'an inwardly inclined terminal fender disposed towards the single conveyer, resilient means normally sepaarms inwardly.

8. A switch assembly comprising two conveyers merging into a single conveyer and having direc tion controlling guides for units in transit, a pair of approximately parallel adjacent laterally movable arms between the said two conveyers each having an inwardly inclined terminal fender disposed towards thesingle conveyer, resilient means normally separating the arms and their fenders, operatively connected means for thrusting one of the arms inwardly, and means forlocking the other arm.

9. In combination, an actively propelling incoming'conveyer having communicating junction with two outgoing divided branch conveyer sections through an intervening widened throat, a pair of laterally movable normally separated approximately parallel adjacent arms each having an inwardly sloping terminal portion confronting the incoming conveyer, and operatively connected means for moving one of said arms and its coming conveyer having communicating junction tions through an intervening widened throat, a

4. A switch assembly comprising a supporting,

frame for two conveyer trackwaysmerging into a single conveyer trackway and having direction controlling guides all connecting with corresponding trackways and guides at opposite ends therewith two outgoing divided branch conveyer secpair of resiliently separated laterally movable arms each having an inclined terminal portion co mof g one of said arms and its terminal towards onting thev incoming conveyer, means for vide clearance while presenting its terminal in position to serve as a laterally deflecting element for approaching units, and means for locking the other arm.

11. A swltclrassembly comprising two conveyers merging into a single conveyer and having direction controlling guides, a pair of approximately parallel laterally movable arms between the two. conveyers each having an inclined terminal fender confronting the single conveyer means normally separating the arms sufficient to extend each terminal fender partly across t associated one of said two conveyers while permitting either arm to be freely movable inwardly towards the other, and means for locking said other arm when its companion arm is moved towards it. 7

12. A switch assembly comprising two conveyers merging into a single conveyer and having c'rrAN n. BERGMANN. 

